Eurovision Song Contest 2011 - Anna Rossinelli

After 6 years of internal selections it was announced in June 2010 that SRG (Swiss public broadcasting organisation) were looking at possibilities to hold a national final to select the Swiss entry, the first time since 2004.

On 24 August the Swiss television (SF) announced that a national final would be organised, after increased popularity for Eurovision in Switzerland after victories for Norway and Germany. SRG compiled the list of candidates for the national selection final with the Swiss radio broadcaster DRS 3 as well as the Swiss French and Italian-language television networks TSR and RSI. A national final with 12 finalists saw Anna Rossinelli with her song "In love for a while" take the prize by televoting with a wooping 23,9%. Switzerland was the first country to announce its artist and song for the 2011 contest back in December 2010.

The catchy and tastefully-arranged acoustic song (even if it does break out into a long string of 'na-na-na's' at one point) has been written and produced by the Swiss musician David Klein, who has previously composed songs for stars such as Herbert Grönemeyer, Xavier Naidoo and Sarah Connor.

Anna (born April 20th, 1987 in Basel) went on to qualify for the first time since 2006 for Eurovision's big final. Switzerland's highest position in the final has been sixteenth in the past ten years!

When it comes to stardom and an international career, the likeable and refreshingly modest singer has both feet firmly on the ground: “I’m far from being a star. I just love to make music with the other members of my band, Georg Dillier (bass) and Manuel Meisel (guitar). We’ll wait and see what happens.”

Last night Anna Rossinelli tried to follow in the footsteps of the first ever Eurovision Song Contest winner in 1956, Lys Assia, or worldwide superstar Celine Dion, who took the trophy for Switzerland in 1988. Anna delivered a stunning performance full of emotion and self-confidence.

Watched by an audience of 38,000 in the Düsseldorf Arena and more than 120 million TV viewers in front of their TV sets in over 45 countries, the Final of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest celebrated Ell and Nikki from Azerbaijan as this year's winner. Anna Rossinelli came in at a disappointing last place. Nervertheless, well done, Anna. You made the Swiss very proud just by qualifing for the final!

Music and Lyrics to "In love for a while": click here

Personal note: my favourite (after Anna of course) was the colourful, funky 60's-styled lady quartett from Serbia with their happy groovy song: "Čaroban"